Shelby County Historical & Genealogical Society

06/18/2026

Found another copy of the picture that was posted yesterday. This one has the names

06/18/2026

From the Archives Answer: Black Horse Tavern

Congratulations to everyone who guessed correctly! Special recognition to Toni Jackson, Bob Bennett, Betsy Stilabower, and Kristen Chumbley for correctly identifying the Black Horse Tavern.

Located along the old State Road in Ash Grove Township, the tavern was operated by Jacob Tressler and later by his son Valentine ("Vol") Tressler. The accompanying 1875 plat map shows the Tressler property along the route of the old State Road through the township. The photo is of the 8-room frame house that was built near the original inn location.

Interested in learning more? The story comes from the article “Stage Coach Stops, Inns, & Taverns in Shelby County Before 1860” by Miriam Herron.

Copies of the article are available from the Shelby County Historical & Genealogical Society for $5. Contact us at [email protected] or visit us in person.

Thank you to everyone who participated, and watch for another "From the Archives" mystery next week!

06/17/2026

The Shelby County Historical & Genealogical Society will be participating in the upcoming community rummage sale, June 26 & 27!

We are currently accepting donations of clean, saleable items to help support our museum and historical preservation efforts. If you have household items, books, décor, collectibles, or other treasures you'd like to pass along, please consider donating them to the Society.

Proceeds from the sale will help us preserve and share Shelby County's history for future generations.

If you would like to donate items or have questions about what we can accept, please contact us or stop by during our regular hours this Thursday 1-3, Friday 10-12, next Wednesday 10-12 and next Thursday 1-3.

Thank you for supporting local history!

Send a message to learn more

06/17/2026

Shelbyville Rotary 1930

06/17/2026

We'd love for you to post your answers to this trivia question. Let's hear if you are a member of SCHGS!

06/17/2026

From the Archives Trivia

06/15/2026

Historical Society Hours

06/12/2026

We found a Sparks College athletic jacket at the Historical Society!

06/10/2026

To the members of the Shelby County Historical and Genealogical Society, Volume 48 Quarterly # 2 was mailed to you this week. The contents of this Quarterly # 2 are Stones Lost to Time: Revolutionary Soldiers & The Lost Graves of Copeland-Wade Cemetery, Westervelt – A Nostalgic Portrait of Yesteryear, and a
William Fancher Synopsis.

If you are not a member and would like to get the society's newsletter, you can become a member by sending an annual membership fee of $20 (check) to the Shelby County Historical and Genealogical Society at PO Box 286, Shelbyville, Illinois 62565.

As a member, you will receive four (4) quarterly newsletters, a discount on research for you performed by the society's volunteer staff and free use of our facilities at 151 South Washington, Shelbyville, Illinois.